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Minutes of Steering Group Meeting
Present: Martin Calvert, Adrian Coltman, Steve Jones-Blackett, Theresa Williams, Adam & Carol Bull, Claire Johnson, David Miles.
None. 2. Minutes of the Meeting Held 6th March 2025 Agreed as a true record.
The FGVW AGM will be held on 12th June 2025. 6. Project to Eradicate Bamboo and Knotweed and Create Wetland off Gledhow Lane This project is now nearing completion. There is some money we can use to seed the baron area. Also, David is working with local schools to plant bluebells, wild garlic and wood anemone in the shaded areas. There is also some seeding and planting to do in some of the wetland areas. There is also some money reserved for two information boards. It was suggested some of the money be used to replace the inaccurate Gledhow Beck information board. The invasive bamboo was sprayed last Friday as part of the continuing project to eradicate it. It was suggested that the Group tried to break up the clay in the area, however a machine would be required. Once the bamboo has been eradicated at the roadside, this will leave the area opens so it was suggested that a small, dead hedge be put in. If there are enough volunteers this might be done as part of the Green Fair activities. 7. Project to Refurbish Footpaths Three paths for refurbishment have been identified as a priority. The two main paths to be restored should be the Carriageway all the way to the garages entrance on Gledhow Wood Road and the path on the opposite side of Gledhow Valley Road to the Bath House up to the road crossing opposite "Martin's Meadow". Third in priority is the path through the woods parallel to Allerton Grange Way. The recommendation by the Government is for 2 metre wide footpaths for accessibility. However, one path may need to be 1.5 metres due to the steep camber. The report suggests that the paths will be built as a boardwalk, but the Group did not feel this was necessary and could lead to high maintenance costs in the future. The plans will be discussed with Jeremy. Also, some areas of woodland management have been identified where the trees need to be thinned. Previously the Group has discussed having wood sculptures and are still keen to pursue this. It was also suggested that a small bridge be put in across the beck near the field previously used for the FunDay. Claire attended an event at the University of York to discuss what the Group were doing and how they were conducting water quality monitoring. She also discussed the issues around the E. coli testing where samples have to be sent away. There was also an introduction to lateral flow tests that could be used to test the water. The more data collected the better so the Group are able to continue with the testing if they want to, although the results will need to be looked at to see what is happening. The University is also looking for Groups who would like to do a media piece. Claire suggested using the sewage and overflow problems in the woods as an example and a way to get the community engaged. There was also a discussion on diversity and inclusion and how we could get people involved. There was a suggestion to put an information board in the woods to promote FGVW Action Mornings, although we would need to control the number of volunteers as each group on the Action Morning requires a supervisor. This could be part of the information boards project under the earlier agenda item. David provided an update on where we were with the water report. It is not yet completed but what we have received so far is very good. There will also be a short summary produced alongside the report. There were concerns raised over the kit testing for vertebrates and the impact of pollution. Some other groups have got together to talk about kit testing trading and bringing in a third party to do it. A grant application will need to be submitted and FGVW agreed to support this. It was believed that road run-off pollution in the beck was caused when it rained. However, David witnessed some gully cleaning and saw that the beck was black when completed. He has collected a sample and is getting it tested. He has submitted a Freedom of Information request into the Council to find out when gully cleaning is due to be done, where and what happens to the waste. 9. Neighbourhood Nature in North Leeds Mary Clayton is involved in the Neighbourhood Nature in North Leeds initiative and has asked if FGVW would support it. This links all the different groups in the area together. Martin agreed to send round the leaflet and information for the Group to digest and discuss at the next meeting. It was also suggested to invite Mary to the next meeting. Climate Action Leeds are also looking to put in a lottery funding application to link up local groups and conduct an ecological survey. Climate Action Leeds are looking for groups who are interested to sign up by Monday 12th May 2025 at 9am. David agreed to add FGVW to the list.
11. Dates of Next Meetings (Provisional)
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